PLAYER RATINGS | Metz 2-3 Rennes: Arnaud Kalimuendo’s injury-time winner deepens Metz’s relegation fears
Ligue 1 Uber Eats, Round 32, 04/05/24
Arnaud Kalimuendo’s injury-time winner (2-3) gave Stade Rennais a crucial three points in their search for European football next season, whilst also dealing FC Metz a considerable blow in their fight for survival.
Georges Mikautadze had given Metz the lead with an audacious lob over Steve Mandanda, which provisionally relegated bottom side Clermont Foot. However, Julien Stéphan’s side fought back and got the equaliser through Amine Gouiri, whose deflected effort was tantalisingly out of reach for Alexandre Oukidja.
The Metz goalkeeper was tested on multiple occasions as Rennes pushed for a second, however, he held firm and his impressive performance was rewarded just before the break. Once again, it was the influential Mikautadze who got in behind the Rennes defence, this time squaring for Papa Amadou Diallo to allow Metz to retake the advantage.
The match turned in the 69th minute. Mikautadze once again fed Diallo, whose goal-bound shot was incredibly stopped by the retreating Theate, who got a head on the ball to turn it over. Having prevented Les Rennais from going two down, Rennes equalised just three minutes later through Benjamin Bourigeaud, who converted a spot-kick after Kalimuendo was bundled to the ground.
Metz, who currently occupy the relegation play-off spot, were desperate for a winner after rivals Le Havre AC won earlier in the day and as the game opened up, they were punished on the counter, with Kalimuendo, who had been rather subdued, popped up when it mattered to get the winner in injury time.
Things would get worse for Metz. Mikautadze, the only reason why Les Grenats are still alive and kicking with two games remaining, was sent off for an off-the-ball collision
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